A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

When Caroline Kennedy published The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 2001, the book became a national bestseller. "The most unexpected part of publishing that book," she says, "was how many people spoke and wrote to me about sharing the same poems in their own families."

That grassroots response inspired Caroline Kennedy to create an anthology for families, drawing from the poems her own family cherished. A Family of Poems is the spectacular result: more than one hundred poems, from five continents, illustrated with sumptuous watercolors by Jon J Muth.

Her work in the New York City Public Schools has made Caroline Kennedy keenly aware of how great the role poetry can play in the minds and hearts of young people. A Family of Poems offers children and families a single beautiful volume that will spark a love of language and verse that will last a lifetime.

Review:

"Kennedy, who created the anthology The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for adult readers, gives this winsome collection a personal feel. In her wintroduction, she describes the pivotal role poetry has played in her life and introduces each of the book's sections with relevant anecdotes from her childhood. Throughout her commentary, Kennedy articulately underscores the importance of reading and appreciating poetry and urges children to express themselves through this medium. She organizes the 106 poems into seven categories, all seminal to a youngster's life, including 'About Me,' 'Animals,' 'Adventure' and 'Bedtime.' The expansive range of poets represented include those renowned for their writing for children (A.A. Milne, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jack Prelutsky, Edward Lear) and those whose work has thrilled readers of all ages (Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, T.S. Eliot, Carl Sandberg, William Shakespeare, plus Psalm 23 and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Kennedy also selected two thoughtful poems of rhymed verse penned by her mother (credited to Jacqueline Bouvier), one a melancholy ode to autumn, the other an affectionate paean to the seashore. Providing stunning backdrops for these timeless works are Muth's richly textured watercolor paintings, which capture with remarkable insight the spirit of each poem. He is as adept at humor in the 'That's So Silly!' section, which teems with clownish characters, as he is dramatic realism in undersea views of octupus or jellyfish. This resonant volume deserves a permanent — and prominent — place on any family bookshelf." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

Caroline Kennedy has chosen a rich variety of Kennedy family favorite poems to include in this priceless collection. With thoughtful personal introductions written by Caroline herself, and beautiful new original artwork by award-winning artist, Jon J Muth, this collection is sure to become a family favorite for years to come.

Synopsis:

Drawing from the poems her own family cherished, Caroline Kennedy presents this volume of more than 100 selections from all continents, offering children and their parents a priceless treasury that will spark a love of language and verse that will last a lifetime. Features an Introduction by Kennedy.

Synopsis:

Offering children and families a single beautiful volume that will spark a love of language and verse that will last a lifetime, Caroline Kennedy draws from the poems her own family cherished. More than 100 selections from all five continents are featured, complemented by the watercolor artworks of Jon J. Muth.

About the Author

Caroline Kennedy is the editor of the New York Times bestselling The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, A Patriot's Handbook, and Profiles in Courage for Our Time, and the co-author of The Right to Privacy and In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action. She serves as the Vice Chair of the Fund for Public Schools in New York City and President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

Jon J Muth's watercolor art has been characterized as "quietly life-changing" by the New York Times. An award-winning illustrator of books for children, Jon J Muth lives with his family in Hudson, New York.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 2 comments:

ehetera, November 11, 2007 (view all comments by ehetera)
Kindred spirits are all elements of poetry in defining the true essence of our children. Poetry being the form of communication to share experiences.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(5 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)

Lucy Little, September 7, 2007 (view all comments by Lucy Little)
I'm really happy this book exists. I wanted to share poetry with my children, but being limited in my own exposure, didn't know where to start. Both the poetry and illustrations are beautiful. It has provided me with an excellent format to introduce poetry to my kids in a subtle, yet meaningful manner.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(8 of 15 readers found this comment helpful)

"Publishers Weekly Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"Kennedy, who created the anthology The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for adult readers, gives this winsome collection a personal feel. In her wintroduction, she describes the pivotal role poetry has played in her life and introduces each of the book's sections with relevant anecdotes from her childhood. Throughout her commentary, Kennedy articulately underscores the importance of reading and appreciating poetry and urges children to express themselves through this medium. She organizes the 106 poems into seven categories, all seminal to a youngster's life, including 'About Me,' 'Animals,' 'Adventure' and 'Bedtime.' The expansive range of poets represented include those renowned for their writing for children (A.A. Milne, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jack Prelutsky, Edward Lear) and those whose work has thrilled readers of all ages (Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, T.S. Eliot, Carl Sandberg, William Shakespeare, plus Psalm 23 and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Kennedy also selected two thoughtful poems of rhymed verse penned by her mother (credited to Jacqueline Bouvier), one a melancholy ode to autumn, the other an affectionate paean to the seashore. Providing stunning backdrops for these timeless works are Muth's richly textured watercolor paintings, which capture with remarkable insight the spirit of each poem. He is as adept at humor in the 'That's So Silly!' section, which teems with clownish characters, as he is dramatic realism in undersea views of octupus or jellyfish. This resonant volume deserves a permanent — and prominent — place on any family bookshelf." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Synopsis"
by Ingram,
Caroline Kennedy has chosen a rich variety of Kennedy family favorite poems to include in this priceless collection. With thoughtful personal introductions written by Caroline herself, and beautiful new original artwork by award-winning artist, Jon J Muth, this collection is sure to become a family favorite for years to come.

"Synopsis"
by Ingram,
Drawing from the poems her own family cherished, Caroline Kennedy presents this volume of more than 100 selections from all continents, offering children and their parents a priceless treasury that will spark a love of language and verse that will last a lifetime. Features an Introduction by Kennedy.

"Synopsis"
by Libri,
Offering children and families a single beautiful volume that will spark a love of language and verse that will last a lifetime, Caroline Kennedy draws from the poems her own family cherished. More than 100 selections from all five continents are featured, complemented by the watercolor artworks of Jon J. Muth.

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